BGW: Partnering the outside-in process - The expert innovation journey

Abstract

BGW has developed a standardized approach for idea generation with internal and external participants and an intended output of 50 tangible ideas and 5 rough concepts. The idea generation (creativity) workshop concept consists of three sequential phases: Set-up and preparation, workshop, transfer and follow-up. Kick-off, goals and results, procedure, participants, framework, confirmation, partner selection, and the organizational planning of the workshop represent activities that have to be conducted in the set-up and preparation phase. A proven three-step approach to generating ideas forms the central part of the workshop phase, in which a mixture of different methods and tools is applied. Based on first raw ideas, the ideas are further developed until initial rough concepts arise, which mark the end of the early phase and the transition into the development process. Both idea evaluation and the selection process are regarded as critical to success during this phase. In the transfer and follow-up phase, the results from the workshop are assessed, documented, and commercialized. Based on their extensive experience with workshops, the authors point to some key success factors of workshops at the end of the article.